Category: ‘Entertaining’

You know the song, by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince. “Summer summer summertime. Time to sit back and unwind.” Yes! Summertime is here.

Summer means warm weather, and for many, vacations to the beach. So, what’s the connection between flowers and the beach? A few summers ago, we challenged four florists to design an arrangement to delight a friend who loves the beach. The purpose was to illustrate how florists can match any personality with flowers.

With summertime here, sit back and unwind as we take a quick trip down memory lane and revisit four floral arrangements ideal for those can’t get enough of the sun, surf and sand.

This design appropriately called “Barefoot with Waves” inspires the feeling of being barefoot in the sand. The sound of the waves, the smell in the air, and looking at beautiful shades of blue make for total relaxation. Read More

According to Pantone, Living Coral is “an animating and life-affirming coral hue with a golden undertone that energizes and enliven with a softer edge.” I agree. Here are a few of my favorite floral designs that flaunt this bright, cheerful hue.

Pink and orange blooms mix perfectly with coral. This combination of colors and textures would be perfect to send for a birthday, get well or anniversary gift or to feature as a centerpiece for a dinner party.

Each holiday has its own traditions, ones that bring happy memories, and warm feelings that connect one generation to the next. This is certainly true for Easter with its cute bunnies, decorated eggs, baskets of candy, sunrise services and spring flowers.

It seems like flowers are in abundance this time of year, and for good reason. After a long cold winter, the bold colors and fragrant blossoms associated with spring and Easter are a welcomed reprieve. Read More

The holiday season is one of my favorite times of the year. You get to enjoy time with family and friends. Decorating the tree, baking cookies, holiday movies, Christmas lights, and gift exchanges. It is a special time of year to celebrate with loved ones.

The poinsettia is one of my favorites for the holiday. Most people see the poinsettia as a beautiful plant for gifts or to give your home pops of festive color. Did you know poinsettia blossoms also look great when added in floral arrangements?

We are embarking on a wonderful season of joy and festive celebration! But let’s face it, decking the halls and many other to-do’s in the month of December can also bring stress. According to a recent poll, 68 percent of people feel stress on a daily basis, and 32 percent experience stress daily. Add the busyness of the holidays — from shopping, to organizing the guest lists, to putting up the decorations, wrapping presents, etc., etc., etc. — our feelings of overwhelm are heightened, as we worry about how everything will get done.

It’s important in these hectic times to step back, breathe, and take small opportunities to have a moment of calm, so we can enjoy the holiday festivities, rather than stress over them. Easier said than done, I know! But science offers a surprisingly simple solution: FLOWERS.

New research from the University of North Florida shows that women who lived with flowers, even just for a few days, reported a significant reduction in their stress levels. Click here to hear the results straight from the researcher herself.

Could it really be that easy? You’d be surprised at how just having flowers in your environment can make a difference in how you and your family approach your day. Try one or more of these tips on how flowers can help you and your loved ones have a productive, and enjoyable, holiday season:

Combat Day-to-Day Busyness and Overwhelm: Keeping flowers on the kitchen counter, bedside table, or even the bathroom – somewhere that you will see as you are coming and going – can help provide a reminder to take a mental break. Flowers have a calming effect. We can use it to our advantage during busy times.

Support Stressed Out Friends: We can help our friends cope with daily stress too. An unexpected surprise gift of flowers for a friend can go a long way. It might be the best gift they receive this season!

Show Appreciation to the Busy Party Host: Especially now that we have scientific proof of their positive impact on our well being – I find flowers are a great way to show our appreciation to the host of a holiday party. For instance, send flowers to the house the day before so he or she can experience their calming effects during the preparations — or thank them after the party is over.

Minimize Family Dinner Friction: If you sense there might be some conflict at the family gathering, use the stress-relieving effects of flowers to “ease the tension” by having flowers right there on the dinner table. It’s worth a try, and might take the conversation in a more agreeable direction.

Help Prevent Loneliness: As wonderful as the holidays can be for most, for some it is a season of loneliness — missing deceased loved ones, not having family in town, or even estrangement from relatives. This can be a stressful time, and flowers can be a real help to show a neighbor or friend that they are acknowledged and cared for.